US7672561B1 - Telecommunications patching system with patching modules - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunications patching system includes: a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas; a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with at least one of the cutout areas; and at least one series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with at least one of the cutout areas. The system also includes at least one central patching module with a plurality of connectors, the central patching module residing in one of the central compartments, the plurality of connectors being oriented to receive a communications cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the central patching module extending rearwardly through a respective one of the cutout areas; and at least one lateral patching module with a plurality of connectors, the lateral patching module residing in one of the lateral compartments, the plurality of connectors being oriented to receive a communication cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the lateral patching module extending rearwardly through a respective one of the cutout areas.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/244,189 filed Oct. 2, 2008 now abandoned, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications equipment, and more particularly to high-density fiber distribution apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the telecommunications industry, the use of fiber optic cables for carrying transmission signals is rapidly growing. To interconnect fiber optic equipment, fiber distribution frames and racks have been developed. Such frames and racks are typically located in a communications closet, data room, or the like, where technicians can easily connect and reconnect, or “patch,” equipment in an organized and efficient manner. Examples of fiber distribution frames and racks are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,444 and 5,758,003, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

With the increase in use of fiber optic cables in the telecommunications industry, it is desirable to provide fiber distribution frames/racks with increased density.

“Density” refers to the number of locations, or ports, per unit volume or unit area for providing connections within the rack; thus, increased density can provide more connection/patching sites per rack. Many racks are configured to include multiple shelves or trays of a specific size (a standard height of 1.75 inches is known in the industry as a “Rack Unit”, “RU”, or just “U”); the size of a rack may be described in terms of “U” (e.g., a “6U” rack), and the shelves and trays may be described by the number of connections per “U” (e.g., 36 connections/U).

The space constraints associated with high-density distribution frames can cause cable and cord management problems. Effective cable/cord management can prevent excessive bending of fiber optic cables/cords within the frames. Effective cable/cord management may also reduce tangling of cables and cords, and may provide improved accessibility to components that may require servicing. Easily-understood labeling can also improve operator efficiency and accuracy. However, increased density can hamper desirable cable management practices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a telecommunications patching module mounting bay. The mounting bay comprises: a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas; a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with the cutout areas; and at least one series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with the cutout areas. Such a mounting bay may be well-suited for use with patching modules that slide into the compartments and receive patch cords from a lateral direction.

As a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a telecommunications patching system, comprising: a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas; a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with at least one of the cutout areas; and at least one series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with at least one of the cutout areas. The system also includes at least one central patching module with a plurality of connectors, the central patching module residing in one of the central compartments, the plurality of connectors being oriented to receive a communications cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the central patching module extending rearwardly through a respective one of the cutout areas; and at least one lateral patching module with a plurality of connectors, the lateral patching module residing in one of the lateral compartments, the plurality of connectors being oriented to receive a communication cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the lateral patching module extending rearwardly through a respective one of the cutout areas.

As a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a telecommunications assembly, comprising: a mounting rack; and at least one telecommunications patching system. The patching system comprises: a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas; a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with the cutout areas; and at least one series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with the cutout areas. The patching system further comprises at least one central patching module with a plurality of connectors, the central patching module residing in one of the central compartments, the central patching module having a plurality of connectors oriented to receive a communications cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the central patching module extending rearwardly through the cutout area; and at least one lateral patching module with a plurality of connectors, the lateral patching module residing in one of the lateral compartments, the lateral patching module having a plurality of connectors oriented to receive a communication cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the lateral patching module extending rearwardly through the cutout area.

As a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a telecommunications patching system, comprising: a first vertical stack of patching modules, wherein each of the patching modules include a plurality of connectors on a first side thereof; and a second vertical stack of patching modules positioned laterally from the first side of the first vertical stack of patching modules, wherein the vertical distance between at least some adjacent patching modules of the second vertical stack of patching modules exceeds the vertical distance between adjacent patching modules of the second vertical stack of patching modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a communications rack with a telecommunications patching assembly according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the module mounting bay of the telecommunications patching system of the assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector, patch cord and cables of the patching system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary termination module of the system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the telecommunications system ofFIG. 1 with patching modules loaded into some of the compartments thereof.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the system ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the system ofFIG. 5 with one of the modules in an access position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described more particularly hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the invention to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” or “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Also, as used herein the term “connector” is intended to encompass telecommunications connectors and devices employed to facilitate the interconnection of telecommunications cords and cables for the transmission of signals therebetween. A connector may include a termination device at the end of a cord or cable, an adapter that facilitates the interconnection of two termination devices (as may be employed in the interconnection of fiber optic cords and cables, such as may be found in a connector block), a jack, plug, or the like typically employed with copper cables and cords, or other devices that provide a location for the interconnection of cables and cords.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Where used, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

Turning now to the drawings, a communications rack, designated broadly at10, is illustrated inFIG. 1. Therack10 includes aframe12 having two vertical, spaced apartuprights14. Each of theuprights14 includes mounting holes for the mounting ofpatching systems20. Although only onepatching system20 is shown mounted therein, therack10 may (and typically will) include multipletermination module systems20.

Turning now toFIG. 2, thepatching system20 includes amodule mounting bay22. Themounting bay22 has arear wall23 withlateral apertures23avia which thepatching system20 can be mounted to theuprights14.Spacing walls39, which help to guide themounting bay22 during mounting on theuprights22, extend rearwardly from therear wall23.

As used herein, the terms “front,” “forward”, and derivatives thereof refer to the direction defined by a vector originating at therear wall23 and extending perpendicular thereto and away from thespacing walls39. The term “rear” and derivatives thereof refer to the direction opposite that of the forward direction, i.e., the direction defined by a vector originating at therear wall23 and extending perpendicular thereto and toward thespacing walls39. The forward and rear directions comprise the “longitudinal” dimensions of the device. The term “lateral” and derivatives thereof refer to the direction originating at the center point of therear wall23 and extending parallel to therear wall23 and toward theuprights14 of theframe12. Thus, if one structure is described as being “lateral” of another structure, it is located farther from the center point of therear wall23 than the second structure. The terms “inner,” “inboard” and derivatives thereof refer to the direction opposite the lateral direction. The lateral and inboard directions comprise the “transverse” dimensions of the device.

Referring still toFIG. 2, the mountingbay22 also includes acentral shelf unit24 andlateral shelf units28. Thecentral shelf unit24 includes a plurality ofpartitions27 that extend laterally fromcentral guide walls25, thereby forming a series ofcompartments26. As can be seen inFIG. 2, thecompartments26 are disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship. In this embodiment, thecompartments26 are arranged in two columns, although in other embodiments other numbers of columns may be employed. Eachguide wall25 is stepped, such that arecess25ais formed on each side, with therecesses25ain one side of the guide walls25 (inFIG. 2, the left side) being on the lower portion of thecompartment26 and therecesses25aon the other side of the guide walls25 (inFIG. 2, the right side) being on the upper portion of thecompartment26. Also, aguide flange25bextends into eachrecess25a(upwardly for theleft compartments26, and downwardly for the right compartments26).Cutouts36 in therear wall23 align with thecompartments26; i.e., thecutouts36 are located to enable objects residing in thecompartments26 to pass or extend through therear wall23.

Referring once again toFIG. 2, the mountingbay22 also includeslateral shelf units28 mounted on either side of thecentral shelf unit24. Each of thelateral shelf units28 includes avertical wall32 withrecesses32aandguide flanges32b.Partitions30 extend laterally from thevertical wall32 to form compartments34. The guide flanges32bextend downwardly from anupper partition30 into therecesses32ain the right hand compartments34 and upwardly from thelower partitions30 in the left hand compartments34. As with thecompartments26,cutouts37 in therear wall23 align with thecompartments34. However, unlike thecompartments26 of thecentral shelf unit23, thecompartments34 are separated from each other bygaps38, such that thecompartments34 are in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship. Thecompartments34 are vertically offset from theiradjacent compartments26 of the central shelf unit23 (i.e., the central “step” of thevertical wall32 of alateral compartment34 is at the same elevation as apartition27 of the central shelf unit24).

Turning now toFIG. 4, a patching module, designated broadly at60, is illustrated therein. Thepatching module60 is exemplary of and identical tomultiple patching modules60 of thesystem10; as such, only onepatching module60 will be described therein, with the understanding that the description is equally applicable to theother patching modules60.

Thepatching module60 has anelongate floor62 that includes, in the illustrated embodiment, two fiber guides66 for guiding optical fiber as it is routed through themodule60 to prevent damage and preserve operability of the optical fiber (in this illustrative example, two semi-circular fiber guides66 are shown, but any number and/or shape offiber guide66 may be used). Connector mounts64 are positioned in a row along a lateral edge of thefloor62. Themodule60 also includes aslide guide68 having an L-shaped cross-section on the edge of thefloor62 opposite the connector mounts64. At its front edge, themodule60 includes atab70 that extends from thefront wall72 of themodule60 for easy handling of themodule60.

Turning now toFIG. 3, an exemplaryoptical connector50 is shown therein.Patch cords52 are illustrated entering one end of theconnector50, andcables54 are shown entering the opposite side of theconnector50. Theconnector50 is mounted in one of the connector mounts64 in the module60 (seeFIG. 4).

Turning now toFIGS. 5 and 6, the assembled patchingsystem20 is shown therein. InFIG. 5, all of the central andlateral compartments26,34 are populated with patching modules60 (although only those on the right half of thesystem20 are connected to patch cords52); inFIG. 6, only one side of thecentral shelf unit24 and onelateral shelf unit28 include patchingmodules60 andpatch cords52. As can be seen inFIG. 5, each of thecompartments26 of thecentral shelf unit24 houses atermination module60. The rear end of eachmodule60 in thecentral shelf unit24 passes through thecutout36 of itsrespective compartment26 and extends rearwardly therefrom behind therear wall23. The slide guide68 ofmodule60 fits within therecess25aof itsrespective compartment26 and is captured by theflange25b. As shown, themodules60 on one side of the central divider25 (inFIGS. 5 and 6, on the right side of the guide walls25) are oriented so that the fiber guides62 face downwardly (i.e., they are inverted from their orientation inFIG. 4).Modules60 on the other side of the guide walls25 (on the left side of theguide walls25 inFIG. 5) would be oriented so that the fiber guides62 face upwardly. With themodules60 so oriented, the connector mounts64 andconnectors50 face away from the guide walls25 (i.e., they face laterally) and are laterally accessible for interconnection withpatch cords52.

Referring now toFIG. 5, each of thecompartments34 of thelateral shelf units28 is filled with amodule60. In each instance, themodule60 extends through thecutout37 in therear wall23 associated with itscompartment34, and itsslide guide68 fits within therecess32ain thevertical wall32 and is held in place by theflange32b. Like themodules60 that reside in thecompartments26 of thecentral shelf unit24, themodules60 that reside in thelateral shelf units28 are oriented so that the connector mounts64 andconnectors50 face laterally.

Referring again toFIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen thatpatch cords52 are connected to theconnectors50 mounted in the connector mounts64. Thepatch cords52 approach from the lateral direction for connection with theconnectors50 mounted inmodules60 located in thecompartments26,34. As shown inFIG. 6, thepatch cords52 that attach to themodules60 located in thecompartments26 of thecentral shelf unit24 are largely routed through thegaps38 between thecompartments34 of the lateral shelf unit28 (the exceptions are thepatch cords52 that connect to the uppermost andlowermost modules60 in thecentral shelf unit23, which pass above the uppermost and below thelowermost compartments34 of the lateral shelf unit28).

The illustrated arrangement ofmodules60 andpatch cords52 can enable the density of thesystem20 to be increased. The illustratedmodule system20, with sixteenmodules60 housed in the central shelf unit23 (in two “stacks” of eight modules) and fourmodules60 housed in each of thelateral shelf units28, is typically about 4 U in height. With this arrangement, the density of connections can be as high as 48 ports/U or more.

It can also be recognized fromFIG. 6 that thefront wall72 provides a suitable space for affixing a label. Such a label can provide information about the identity of the connections made with theconnectors50.

FIG. 7 illustrates the access position that can be achieved with themodules60. As is shown inFIG. 7, amodule60 can be slid forward within itscompartment26,34 to enable a technician to connect or disconnectpatch cords52 or cables from theconnectors50 of themodule60. Sliding themodules60 forward provides easy access to theconnectors50,cords52 andcables54. Because thepatch cords52 of themodules60 are routed through thegaps38 between thecompartments34 of thelateral shelf units28, they can also slide forward with themodule60 without the need for disconnection.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims (27)

1. A telecommunications patching module mounting bay, comprising:

a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas;

a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with the cutout areas; and

two series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, one series of lateral compartments on each side of the central compartments, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with the cutout areas, gaps being present between adjacent lateral compartments.

2. The mounting bay defined inclaim 1, wherein each of the central compartments includes a longitudinal recess.

3. The mounting bay defined inclaim 1, wherein the central compartments are arranged in two columns, and wherein horizontally adjacent central compartments are divided by a central wall.

4. The mounting bay defined inclaim 3, wherein each of the central compartments includes a longitudinal recess in the central wall.

5. The mounting bay defined inclaim 4, wherein recesses of horizontally adjacent central compartments are in vertically stacked relationship.

6. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:

a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas;

a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with at least one of the cutout areas; and

at least one series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with at least one of the cutout areas;

at least one central patching module with a plurality of connectors, the central patching module residing in one of the central compartments, the plurality of connectors being oriented to receive a communications cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the central patching module extending rearwardly through a respective one of the cutout areas; and

at least one lateral patching module with a plurality of connectors, the lateral patching module residing in one of the lateral compartments, the plurality of connectors being oriented to receive a communication cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the lateral patching module extending rearwardly through a respective one of the cutout areas;

wherein the central patching module is slidably mounted in its corresponding central compartment and is slidable to a forward access position, in which the plurality of connectors are positioned in front of the central compartments; and

wherein the lateral patching module is slidably mounted in its corresponding lateral compartment.

7. The system defined inclaim 6, wherein each of the central compartments includes a longitudinal recess, and wherein each of the central patching modules includes a longitudinal guide that fits within a respective recess.

8. The system defined inclaim 6, wherein the central patching module includes fiber guide features.

9. The system defined inclaim 6, wherein the connectors of the central patching module are aligned in a longitudinal row.

10. The system defined inclaim 6, wherein the connectors of the lateral patching module are aligned in a longitudinal row.

11. The system defined inclaim 6, wherein each of the central patching modules includes a front surface suitable for labeling.

12. The system defined inclaim 6, wherein the central compartments are arranged in two columns, and wherein horizontally adjacent central compartments are divided by a central wall.

13. The system defined inclaim 12, wherein each of the central compartments includes a longitudinal recess in the central wall, and wherein each of the central patching modules includes a longitudinal guide that fits within the recess.

14. The system defined inclaim 13, wherein recesses of horizontally adjacent central compartments are in vertically stacked relationship.

15. A telecommunications assembly, comprising:

a mounting rack; and

at least one telecommunications patching system, comprising:

a rear panel, the rear panel including a plurality of cutout areas;

a series of central compartments mounted to the rear panel, the central compartments being disposed in adjacent, vertically stacked relationship in at least one column, the rear ends of the central compartments being aligned with the cutout areas; and

at least one series of lateral compartments mounted to the rear panel, the lateral compartments being disposed in spaced apart, vertically stacked relationship and laterally positioned from the central compartments, the rear ends of the lateral compartments being aligned with the cutout areas;

at least one central patching module with a plurality of connectors, the central patching module residing in one of the central compartments, the central patching module having a plurality of connectors oriented to receive a communications cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the central patching module extending rearwardly through the cutout area;

at least one lateral patching module with a plurality of connectors, the lateral patching module residing in one of the lateral compartments, the lateral patching module having a plurality of connectors oriented to receive a communication cable from a lateral direction, a rear end of the lateral patching module extending rearwardly through the cutout area; and

patch cords connected with the connectors of the central patching module, the patch cords being routed between two adjacent lateral compartments.

16. The assembly defined inclaim 15, further comprising cables routed from the connectors through the cutout area corresponding to the central patching module.

17. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein the central patching module is slidably mounted in its corresponding central compartment and is slidable to a forward access position, in which the plurality of connectors are positioned in front of the central compartments.

18. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein the lateral patching module is slidably mounted in its corresponding lateral compartment.

19. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein each of the central compartments includes a longitudinal recess, and wherein each of the central patching modules includes a longitudinal guide that fits within the recess.

20. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein the central patching module includes fiber guide features.

21. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein the connectors of the central patching module are aligned in a longitudinal row.

22. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein the connectors of the lateral patching module are aligned in a longitudinal row.

23. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein each of the central patching modules includes a front surface suitable for labeling.

24. The assembly defined inclaim 15, wherein the central compartments are arranged in two columns, and wherein horizontally adjacent central compartments are divided by a central wall.

25. The assembly defined inclaim 24, wherein each of the central compartments includes a longitudinal recess in the central wall, and wherein each of the central patching modules includes a longitudinal guide that fits within the recess.

26. The assembly defined inclaim 25, wherein recesses of horizontally adjacent central compartments are in vertically stacked relationship.

27. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:

a first vertical stack of patching modules, wherein each of the patching modules include a plurality of connectors on a first lateral side thereof; and

a second vertical stack of patching modules positioned laterally from the first side of the first vertical stack of patching modules, wherein the vertical distance between at least some adjacent patching modules of the second vertical stack of patching modules exceeds the vertical distance between adjacent patching modules of the first vertical stack of patching modules.

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